Gordon Holmes a retired sales executive died on Monday April 24 at the Skilled Nursing Facility at North Hill in Needham. He was 84 years old. Born in Natick, the son of the late Sarah Esdale Holmes and Henry Hazeltine Holmes. His grandfather, John Henry Holmes was editor and owner of the Boston Herald. Mr. Holmes grew up in Wayland. He attended Meadowbrook School in Weston MA, Tabor Academy in Marion, MA, The Belmont Hill School in Belmont MA, The United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point NY and Harvard University. Mr. Holmes was a member of the Alpha Delta Club at Harvard. He served during World War II in the Merchant Marines from October 1942 to May 1944 and in the United States Navy from May 1944 through October 1946. Mr. Holmes sailed on three Merchant Marine Liberty Ships including the Deer Lodge which was sunk by a torpedo fired by a German U-Boat ion the Indian Ocean on February 17, 1943. He also sailed on the Liberty Ship Jonathan Elmer and the U.S.S. Sibley. He was discharged from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant JG. Mr. Holmes worked in insurance sales before joining American Thread of Boston where he worked until 1965. From 1965 to 1976 he worked for Donohue Sales Corporation in NYC. He then worked at Caron International of New York and Greenwich CT until retiring in 1984. An avid sailor, Mr. Holmes was a member of the New York yacht Club, Chatham Yacht Club and Noroton Yacht Club in Darien CT. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of Eastward HO! Country Club in Chatham. Mr. Holmes was also a member of the New York Athletic Club, where his name remains engraved in bronze as a member who served in World War II. The husband of Nancy (Hooe) and the late Ann Harvey Holmes he was the father of David Comly Holmes of Bowling Green KY, Susan H. Cranmer of Jamaica Plain, Cynthia H. Lategan of Fort Collins CO, Gordon Holmes Jr. of Nashville TN and John Henry Holmes of Baldwin MD. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers donations in Gordon’s name may be made to Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Station, Baltimore MD 21224. Arrangements by the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue Needham.